Reviewed by: Caleb Turrentine
4 ways Georgia fans can enjoy Birmingham before the big game against the Tide
Reading time: 4 minutes
The rematch is almost here. This Saturday evening, Sept. 28, the Georgia Bulldogs take on the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium to avenge their only loss last year at the SEC Championship in Atlanta.
Hotels in Birmingham are expected to be filled throughout the weekend by fans of the Dawgs.
To make our friends from Georgia feel at home, we’ve produced a short “tip” sheet for their visit.
Good Dog Park & Bar near the Rotary Trail
One thing Birmingham and Georgia fans have in common? They both love dogs. Georgia has one of the greatest mascot traditions in all of sports. Since 1956 the school has been represented by pure white English Bulldogs. The school’s newest Top Dawg — “Boom” or UGA XI” — has only experienced one loss in his reign as Georgia’s top pooch and that was against Bama last December.
What place will make Georgia fans feel at ease in the Magic City? How about Alabama’s first dog park and bar — Good Dog Park & Bar by the Rotary Trail.
Can you imagine UGA XI and fellow Georgia fans and their dogs paying a visit? They are all more than welcome!
- Good Dog Park & Bar: Website | Instagram | Facebook
- Address: 101 23rd Street South, Birmingham, AL 35233
Birmingham’s Music Scene
We all know Athens, Georgia produced two of the greatest bands in the 1980s — REM and B-52’s. Does Birmingham have a place like Athen’s 40 Watt Club for example?
Yes, we do!
Birmingham’s music scene is vibrant too. Georgia fans should check out The Nick, which has a history of hosting over the years major bands on their way up including:
- Red Hot Chili Peppers
- Jane’s Addiction
- Black Crowes
- Widespread Panic
Birmingham also has several larger venues — Workplay, Iron City, Avondale Brewing and Saturn.
Rickwood Field, Southern Negro League Museum and Alabama Sports Hall of Fame
Back in June, the whole country got to see Major League Baseball come to Birmingham and play a game at Rickwood Field, the oldest professional ballpark in the U.S.
Birmingham has a rich sports history. In addition to booking a tour of the Rickwood Field with our local friends’ group, UGA fans need to visit the Birmingham Southern Negro League Museum.
If you arrive early on Friday (they are closed on the weekend), drop by the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame (ASHOF). There are several Georgia-connected inductees including the Bulldog’s all-time winningest head Coach Vince Dooley.
Even though it is not open to the public – across the street from the ASHOF is the SEC headquarters.
Peaches, peanuts, moonshine and gelato
Got any more gems in the Magic City that will prepare a Georgia football fan going to the big game?
What are two things both Alabama and Georgia have in common? We both crave peaches and boiled peanuts in ALL forms.
Here are three places to get… provisions.
On the peach front, visit the good folks at Dread River Distillery who released this new summer spirit called Jalapeno Peach Moonshine. In addition to checking out their food menu, whiskies, gin and rum, you can also take a tour before the big game.
After that visit, drive about 8 blocks north to Morris Avenue and pick up some boiled peanuts and beer from the Alabama Peanut Company. WARNING: Be prepared to drive down a cobblestone street.
After that venture, walk an additional 2 blocks down to Cannella Gelato and have peaches and cream.
Ready for the big game!
From Dawgs (we spelled it correctly – right?) to peaches, welcome Georgia fans to the big game. We do hope you stop in The Magic City visit. And who knows, maybe we will see you again in Atlanta this coming December for another rematch for the SEC title.
